City of Ocala Human Resource & Risk Management Director Jared Scott Sorensen has resigned, several days after he was arrested and accused of domestic violence.
City officials said the 45-year-old Ocala resident had submitted a resignation letter that City Manager Sandra Wilson received Tuesday afternoon.
In the email, he wrote: “I would like to thank you for the last 11 years at the City of Ocala. I learned a lot under your leadership and enjoyed working for the City. It is with a heavy heart that I submit my two weeks notice to resign from my position as HR & Risk Management Director. Once again, thank you for everything.”
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Wilson’s response to Sorensen: “I accept your resignation. In lieu of a two weeks’ notice, it will become effective immediately. Thanks for your 11 years of service to the city, and I wish you well in your future endeavors.”
Sorensen had verbally said he was going to resign a few days after his arrest.
Here’s what the police report in this case says
According to an Ocala Police Department report, an officer was called to a southeast Ocala location at 11:22 p.m. Friday in reference to a domestic battery. The address is withheld because of the nature of the case.
A woman told the officer that she and Sorensen were arguing about her not having access to phone conversations on his work phone. The report notes the woman said Sorensen was upset and pushed her. The woman also said Sorensen struck the left side of her head with a hairdryer.
The officer reported feeling a small welt on the back of the victim’s head.
According to the report, Sorensen said he and the victim had been arguing about the phone that evening. He went to bed after having a few drinks.
He said the victim woke him and he didn’t know what was happening and doesn’t remember hitting or fighting anyone. One of the woman’s relatives said he restrained Sorensen during the altercation.
Sorensen told the officer he wasn’t injured in the altercation with the victim’s relative, but he was sore.
The officer interviewed the relative, who said he was upstairs with his girlfriend when he heard the argument between Sorensen and the victim. He said he heard the victim scream and ran downstairs. He said he went into the room and the victim told him that she had been hit in the head with a hairdryer.
The man said Sorensen rushed at him and tried to punch him. The man said he blocked Sorensen’s attempt to hit him and managed to hold him on the ground until police arrived.
Once the interviews were over, the officer arrested Sorensen, charging him with domestic battery. He was booked into the Marion County Jail at 12:25 a.m. Saturday and released on his own recognizance at 3:44 p.m. the same day.
Information from Sorensen’s personnel file
City records show Sorensen’s annual salary with benefits is $154,669.15. He was hired in late October 2010 as an assistant human resource director. He became human resource director in early May 2011.
His personnel file indicates he was suspended without pay from Sept. 4, 2019, to Sept. 10, 2019, though the exact reason is not provided.
In a memorandum to Sorensen, Wilson wrote: “Your off-duty conduct that occurred on Saturday, July 6, 2019, has been determined to conduct that is contrary to the best interests of the city; therefore, you will serve a five-day suspension without pay.”
The correspondence also states: “Your violation of any other City policy will result in additional disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. It is my hope that you have gained a new perspective on your life and career with the city.”
Wilson told the Star-Banner on Tuesday that she spoke with Sorensen on the phone on Sunday and he told her that he was going to resign.
As for the incident documented in Sorensen’s file, she said she doesn’t remember the specifics, but it had to do with him getting into an altercation while out of town and he showed a lack of judgment.
The city manager called Sorensen “a great employee.”
